AC Milan crash at Genoa after win over leaders Juve

Rome, Oct. 25, (GNA/dpa) - AC Milan had a man dismissed in a 3-0 defeat at Genoa's Luigi Ferraris stadium on Tuesday, failing to go top as they opened a mid-week round of the Italian Serie A.

The Rossoneri, who beat leaders Juventus 1-0 Saturday, remain two points clear of the top, sitting third on 19 points from 10 games.

The unmarked Nikola Ninkovic nodded home on 11 minutes, Juraj Kucka tipped into his own goal on 80 and substitute Leonardo Pavoletti struck with four minutes left. Gabriel Paletta was dismissed on 56 minutes.

"Genoa are a good club to be at and we are group of players who wanted to stay here among friends," said Pavoletti, who is approaching top form after a long layoff.

"Unfortunately we lost the (Saturday city) derby (2-1) to Sampdoria, but today we managed to leave it behind."

A botched offside trap allowed Ninkovic to nod home a cross from Tomas Rincon 11 minutes into a first half that the hosts dominated in midfield, producing good pressure on the flanks with Edenilson and Diego Laxalt.

The Genoa defence only conceded a wide drive from Alessio Romagnoli and a central feeble attempt from Giacomo Bonaventura, who was again denied from Mattia Perin on 51 minutes.

The home goalkeeper then dove on a tap-in attempt from Carlos Bacca and Kucka as the Devils revved up their pace in the second-half.

Their pressure continued despite the dismissal of Paletta for mowing down Luca Rigoni, but the hosts gradually regained control and threatened when Rincon fired narrowly wide before Milan's Andrea Poli missed on 75.

Kucka then tipped past Gianluigi Donnarumma to prevent the pouncing of substitute Pavoletti, who scored having the better of Romagnoli.

Juve (21) welcome Sampdoria on Wednesday, when 19-point Roma, who are second on goal difference, visit Sassuolo. Genoa are seventh on 15 points with a game in hand.

GNA